Chris Lofton Resolution

[Wildcat_Fan98]

Poor ol’ Tubby Smith.

He already coaches basketball in a state where he has some 4.041 million “assistant coaches.” Talk shows, Internet message boards, traditional media, everyone is ultra-quick on the advice trigger when it comes to how ol’ Tubby should be doing his job.

Now, as if that weren’t enough “help,” the state legislature has jumped in with an oldie (but not goodie) of a recruiting strategy.

State Rep. Tanya Pullin, D-South Shore, proposed a non-binding resolution that encouraged Kentucky’s public universities to “recruit and offer scholarships to athletically and academically gifted students from Kentucky.”

“I’m calling this the Chris Lofton resolution,” Pullin told Herald-Leader political reporter Ryan Alessi, noting the ex-Mason County guard turned Tennessee star that UK famously chose not to recruit.

Well, to beat a horse that’s not only dead but petrified: Kentucky obviously should have recruited Chris Lofton. But the reason UK should have recruited him is because he’s a good player.

Not because of where he’s from.

Pullin’s resolution may be basically a harmless act of political grandstanding, but the underlying premise — that somehow the athletics program at UK (or the other state universities) should be obligated to do a certain percentage of its recruiting in-state — is one of those ideas that is so spectacularly bad, you just can’t kill it.

Sure, it’s always emotionally satisfying to see a home-state kid get to perform for State U. But the reason they ought to get there is because they are good enough on merit, not because of some geographic quota system.

Yet every single winter, like clockwork, I get e-mail from readers proposing that the legislature pass a law requiring UK to offer scholarships annually to Kentucky’s Mr. Football, Mr. Basketball, Miss Basketball etc.

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/14368511.htm

[SunBaller]

We never have and never will win a National Championship without starters and key players bred in ol' Kentucky. It won't happen.

[matt57]

SunBaller wrote: We never have and never will win a National Championship without starters and key players bred in ol' Kentucky. It won't happen.
Then we can forget about a title anytime soon. you seen what the state is producing???? it may be another decade before the talent gets back to where it used to be.

[Caveman Catfan]

As dumb a resolution as I have ever heard. Might as well spend your time as a legislator thinking up days named after people (i.e. Official Caveman Catfan Day!!!!).

With the legit issues that need to be resolved, this guy should be canned.

[sojourner]

Isn't this similar to what the Legislature did in the 50's to Bear Bryant? Only then it was closer to a mandate?

[ukfanforever24]

was that real? you vote for her and the main thing on her mind is making sure tubby smith gets instate recruits? lol thats insane

[IlikeUK]

it's dumb in too many ways to list

[Wildcat Larry]

sojourner wrote: Isn't this similar to what the Legislature did in the 50's to Bear Bryant? Only then it was closer to a mandate?

Exactly. That was one of the main things that ran off Bear Bryant. It was much more influential in his decision to leave than anything having to do with Adolph Rupp.

This is just plain STUPID!

[audacious1]

Sometimes I just can't decide who I hate more, politicians or lawyers. Very dumb idea.

[NotFrank]

Here's my resolution:

Someone should hold this lady down and beat her with her own arms.

[RP_McMurphy]

Poor Tubby I know it's so bad for him he gets a raise next year for his performance for this year. No poor Kentucky fan for having to watch that horrid embarassment of a basketball team he put on the court this season. I am sooooo sick of this poor Tubby this, poor Tubby that nonsense put forth. You know what I would LOVE to have his problems and the resources at his disposal to take care of those problems. Instead I am deployed overseas for 9 months this year and will barely I mean barely make 30K for the year so please spare me this poor Tubby nonsense.

[sCATback]

Tre Pryor wrote: Sometimes I just can't decide who I hate more, politicians or lawyers. Very dumb idea.
Most politicans are laywers so just hate 'm all ;)

I'm glad the ky state legislature does not have any more pressing problems on its hands that to worry about what the university of kentucky is doing with its basketball program. The government needs to worry about running the state and the country and not about UK basketball, Major League BAseball, or any other sport, that is not what they were elected to do.

[kipper265]

Can't believe this type of thing is suggested in the year 2006. Horrible idea....on a chart of bad ideas this is the worst. This is so bad it is not even visible on the printed version of said chart. Even the printer-friendly version of the chart would not even have room to give any evidence of such a bad idea....yeah...it's that bad.

UK represents tradition in fandom, accomplishments on the basketball court and a lot of other things. Heart, determination, talent, sacrifice, work-ethic....these are things that our players should exhibit no matter where they happened to go to high school.

It would be sad if we were forced to miss out on a potential Tayshaun Prince or a Chuck Hayes ....or a Keith Bogans....or a Gerald Fitch......etc...just because of some stupid mandate saying we have to take another KY Mr. Basketball. Lofton is an anomaly in the traditionally untalented and undersized world of KY HS basketball.

Political grandstanding, indeed.

[Dwight Schrute]

Well, if you read the article, it's a 'non-binding' resolution. Meaning it's not mandatory.

Asinine, yes. But nothing to worry about. Totally harmless.

[bornblue]

Bad idea. Whomever this politician is, they deserve to be voted out of office for wasting the taxpayer's money.:thumbdown

[trublue4life]

RP_McMurphy wrote: Poor Tubby I know it's so bad for him he gets a raise next year for his performance for this year. No poor Kentucky fan for having to watch that horrid embarassment of a basketball team he put on the court this season. I am sooooo sick of this poor Tubby this, poor Tubby that nonsense put forth. You know what I would LOVE to have his problems and the resources at his disposal to take care of those problems. Instead I am deployed overseas for 9 months this year and will barely I mean barely make 30K for the year so please spare me this poor Tubby nonsense.Take a breath and relax. First of all, what does this have to do with anything being discussed in this thread or in the column. Second, it's obvious that Mark Story was writing "Poor Ol Tubby" tongue-in-cheek. His column is about the stupid idea that ANY coach (basketball, football or otherwise) at UK or any other state school would have to deal with a legislator with nothing better to do than propose stupid legislation like this.

[RP_McMurphy]

Not gonna take a breath and relax when my team puts on such a embarassing show as it did this year. Then the coach for this performance gets a 75K raise. Yes Tubby got a raise for his team being putting forth it's worst showing in 15 years. Oh sure after the season he paid lip service and talked about major changes on the team and his staff. So far no major changes just a hit job on Adam Williams. Sorry but this type of performance will not go unnoticed by thie Cat fan.

trublue4life wrote:
RP_McMurphy wrote: Poor Tubby I know it's so bad for him he gets a raise next year for his performance for this year. No poor Kentucky fan for having to watch that horrid embarassment of a basketball team he put on the court this season. I am sooooo sick of this poor Tubby this, poor Tubby that nonsense put forth. You know what I would LOVE to have his problems and the resources at his disposal to take care of those problems. Instead I am deployed overseas for 9 months this year and will barely I mean barely make 30K for the year so please spare me this poor Tubby nonsense.Take a breath and relax. First of all, what does this have to do with anything being discussed in this thread or in the column. Second, it's obvious that Mark Story was writing "Poor Ol Tubby" tongue-in-cheek. His column is about the stupid idea that ANY coach (basketball, football or otherwise) at UK or any other state school would have to deal with a legislator with nothing better to do than propose stupid legislation like this.

[Caveman Catfan]

Dwight Schrute wrote: Well, if you read the article, it's a 'non-binding' resolution. Meaning it's not mandatory.

Asinine, yes. But nothing to worry about. Totally harmless.

I guess you could say its harmless, but for the fact that legislators are supposed to be taking on the serious issues facing our state. This is a waste of time/money.

[Mark Blueblood]

Gee RP - I thought this was a thread about some idiot politician wasting taxpayers' time and money on yet another ridiculous cause. But....somehow you found, yet again (still??) a reason to use it to bash Tubby.

I don't know what's getting more tiresome - the Chris Lofton saga or your constant rant.

[The Old School JPS]

Caveman Catfan wrote: As dumb a resolution as I have ever heard. Might as well spend your time as a legislator thinking up days named after people (i.e. Official Caveman Catfan Day!!!!).

With the legit issues that need to be resolved, this guy should be canned.

I would certainly vote for Official Caveman Catfan Day before I voted for Tanya Pullin'sfoolish resolution.

I think if people realized how much of each annual legislative session is wasted on stupid resolutions like this and stupid bills about what the official state junkyard should be, more of these wasteful blowhards would be turned out of office.

Rep. Pullin, for instance, introduced 17 bills in the last session. Only one of them passed: House Bill 665: "Amend KRS 278.700 to define a demonstration project for coal-based production of hydrogen and electricity as a qualifying electric generating facility."

I'm glad she had timeto devote tothat important legislation, and to meddle in collegiate recruiting, instead of doing something to improve our schools, roads, tax structure, state budget, corrections system . . . :rolleyes:

They should put some of these legislators in orange jump suits and make them go paint the Kennedy Bridge so that they actually accomplish something for a change.

[UKfaninCO]

Mark Blueblood wrote: I don't know what's getting more tiresome - the Chris Lofton saga or your constant rant.

I vote for the constant rant. It's becoming a littany.

[rickdacatkilla]

Mytax dollars at work...pathetic

[Grub]

Bobby Knight used to have a standard where the Indiana Mr. Basketballhad a"scholarship in waiting" if the playerchose to attendIU. Although I always thought Knight was a despicable human being, I thought that was a good idea and one I wish UK would adopt.

That said, I also thinkstate legislators shouldaddress items which affect their constituency rather than their own personal agendas.

[RaleighCat]

UKfaninCO wrote: Mark Blueblood wrote: I don't know what's getting more tiresome - the Chris Lofton saga or your constant rant.

I vote for the constant rant. It's becoming a littany.

Pot, meet Kettle.

Back off RP. He has every right to post what he wants as long as it meets the WCN standards. RP is a fiercely loyal Kentucky fan and WCN supporter. Instead of beating on him why don't you just ignore him?

[Wildcat Larry]

Dwight Schrute wrote: Well, if you read the article, it's a 'non-binding' resolution. Meaning it's not mandatory.


A non-binding resolution is like some at my office asking me to call them when I have time. It just ain't gonna happen. ;):lol:

However, the waste of time to even bring it up makes this person a moron and should be tarred and feather, and then run out of Frankfort on a rail. And I say that in the kindest way.

[UKfaninCO]

RaleighCat wrote: UKfaninCO wrote: Mark Blueblood wrote: I don't know what's getting more tiresome - the Chris Lofton saga or your constant rant.

I vote for the constant rant. It's becoming a littany.

Pot, meet Kettle.

Back off RP. He has every right to post what he wants as long as it meets the WCN standards. RP is a fiercely loyal Kentucky fan and WCN supporter. Instead of beating on him why don't you just ignore him?



And I have every right to post what I like. I'm fiercly loyal as well. I'm not beating on him. The constant gripe is getting tiresome. I know how he feels. I feel much the same way. But I don't constantly gripe about it on every thread I post on. Of course, he is free to post how he feels. I just wish he would post something different on occasion just to spice things up a bit. I see you don't have any problems jumping on folks when you don't agree with what they are posting. Back off me.

[Wildcat Larry]

Okay, guys, let's play nice. ;)

[audacious1]

Mark Blueblood wrote: Gee RP - I thought this was a thread about some idiot politician wasting taxpayers' time and money on yet another ridiculous cause. But....somehow you found, yet again (still??) a reason to use it to bash Tubby.

I don't know what's getting more tiresome - the Chris Lofton saga or your constant rant.

I'd vote for RP's one-trick pony.

[poodoo]

Caveman Catfan wrote: As dumb a resolution as I have ever heard. Might as well spend your time as a legislator thinking up days named after people (i.e. Official Caveman Catfan Day!!!!).

With the legit issues that need to be resolved, this guy should be canned.



Too, it makes me remember the resolution back in the fall to force Kentucky and Louisville (or actually Kentucky,since we are the ones who choose to be free to play the game as the second or third game of the year when it's held in our own stadium) to play their football game the first game of the season. Doesn't it feel great to know that some of our legislators are spendingtheir time to address suchimportant issues! :(In my opinion, it's embarrassing. :(

[Mark Blueblood]

Gee Raleigh Cat - I wasn't trying to beat on RP - merely making an observation. Apparently there are those who agree with me.

But if the words "ignore him and he'll go away" are true - I think your advice would be well heeded.

[DCWildcat]

I think the whole thing is kind of funny. Actually, I like it--the sheer lunacy shows what crazy fans we have, and I'm kind of proud of that.

On a completely different note, RP, this is the 4th time I've observed that you've brought up your job/pay when it's completely irrelevant. Why???

[RP_McMurphy]

I know I am sorry folks for pointing out facts and numbers when discussing Tubby. I will in the future overlook facts and numbers and go along with the nicey, nicey company line of how great Tubby is. Nawwwwww that ain't me and if that is you then you ain't a true Cat fan in my honest opinion. I might just try to put a little more sugar on it in the future but only a little folks.

[audacious1]

RP_McMurphy wrote: I know I am sorry folks for pointing out facts and numbers when discussing Tubby. I will in the future overlook facts and numbers and go along with the nicey, nicey company line of how great Tubby is. Nawwwwww that ain't me and if that is you then you ain't a true Cat fan in my honest opinion. I might just try to put a little more sugar on it in the future but only a little folks.
It's always interesting to see when people bring out the "since you disagree with me than you can't be a true fan" argument.

[BigBlue75]

RP_McMurphy wrote: Not gonna take a breath and relax when my team puts on such a embarassing show as it did this year. Then the coach for this performance gets a 75K raise. Yes Tubby got a raise for his team being putting forth it's worst showing in 15 years. Oh sure after the season he paid lip service and talked about major changes on the team and his staff. So far no major changes just a hit job on Adam Williams. Sorry but this type of performance will not go unnoticed by thie Cat fan.

trublue4life wrote:
RP_McMurphy wrote: Poor Tubby I know it's so bad for him he gets a raise next year for his performance for this year. No poor Kentucky fan for having to watch that horrid embarassment of a basketball team he put on the court this season. I am sooooo sick of this poor Tubby this, poor Tubby that nonsense put forth. You know what I would LOVE to have his problems and the resources at his disposal to take care of those problems. Instead I am deployed overseas for 9 months this year and will barely I mean barely make 30K for the year so please spare me this poor Tubby nonsense.Take a breath and relax. First of all, what does this have to do with anything being discussed in this thread or in the column. Second, it's obvious that Mark Story was writing "Poor Ol Tubby" tongue-in-cheek. His column is about the stupid idea that ANY coach (basketball, football or otherwise) at UK or any other state school would have to deal with a legislator with nothing better to do than propose stupid legislation like this.

Moving right along...:rolleyes:

[Arkansas Cat Fan]

Wildcat_Fan98 wrote: “I’m calling this the Chris Lofton resolution,” Pullin told Herald-Leader political reporter I said it before and I truly believe, if Chris Lofton had come to Kentucky, he would be sitting at the end of the bench. But he went to Tennessee where they let him play. He was needed and learned to be an effective player. He got his shot down.

[Mark Blueblood]

Ya know Arkansas - I believe you're right on that.

Also, all these hindsighters would have been the FIRST ones moaning and groaning about Tubby signing yet another Mr. Basketball that was a wasted scholarship. Now, I'm the first to admit that Tubby isn't perfect and he makes mistakes. But.....he's right a whole lot more than he's wrong.

Oh yeah - one more thing - gee RP I sure wish I could be a true fan like you and be able to concentrate on everything that is wrong with all our sports programs. I'm sure I'd be a much happier person. Negativity is the foundation of true happiness. Or so you would have us believe. And hey - you don't have to sugar coat it for me - I'm probablynot going to agree with it regardless of how you package it. But, then again, I'm not a "real fan".

[The Old School JPS]

Arkansas Cat Fan wrote: Wildcat_Fan98 wrote: “I’m calling this the Chris Lofton resolution,” Pullin told Herald-Leader political reporter I said it before and I truly believe, if Chris Lofton had come to Kentucky, he would be sitting at the end of the bench. But he went to Tennessee where they let him play. He was needed and learned to be an effective player. He got his shot down.

UK sure could've used his accurate shooting at a lot of points this year. I think by tournament time he'd be a significant contributor.

But it's not like Tubby's the first coach to misjudge an instate player, or even the only coach to misjudge this particular kid. Pitino whiffed on him too. And UK's needs at forward outweighed those at guard.

I think he'd have been a contributor but I'm not irate about it and I can't think of a coach who hasn't made plenty of recruiting decisions like that one.

[katfever]

Tre Pryor wrote: Sometimes I just can't decide who I hate more, politicians or lawyers. Very dumb idea.Yeah, I've always thought we needed more web designers in positions of power. :P
But, alas they are too busy looking at porno on the net. :cool:

[RP_McMurphy]

You act like porno is a bad thing?

katfever wrote:
Tre Pryor wrote: Sometimes I just can't decide who I hate more, politicians or lawyers. Very dumb idea.Yeah, I've always thought we needed more web designers in positions of power. :P
But, alas they are too busy looking at porno on the net. :cool:

[Arkansas Cat Fan]

RP_McMurphy wrote: You act like porno is a bad thing?

katfever wrote:
Tre Pryor wrote: Sometimes I just can't decide who I hate more, politicians or lawyers. Very dumb idea.Yeah, I've always thought we needed more web designers in positions of power. :P
But, alas they are too busy looking at porno on the net. :cool:

You folks never fail to make me laugh:lol:

[katfever]

RP_McMurphy wrote: You act like porno is a bad thing?

katfever wrote:
Tre Pryor wrote: Sometimes I just can't decide who I hate more, politicians or lawyers. Very dumb idea.Yeah, I've always thought we needed more web designers in positions of power. :P
But, alas they are too busy looking at porno on the net. :cool:

No, not at all. Just that web designers have their priorities straight. :P

[T75]

sojourner wrote: Isn't this similar to what the Legislature did in the 50's to Bear Bryant? Only then it was closer to a mandate?

Well threats from that same Ky lawyer-bunch "made" U of L sports when the were going to "require" UK to play UofL. Who would have seen that coming---at the time we mostly thought that would doom UK to playing "Lil Bro" forever. Hmmm, things do have a way of changing. Since Tubby keeps a couple of Ky kids down on the end of his bench, it might not be such a bad rule; he might even get a better class of UK players is he was required to offer "Mr Basketball" or some such silly rule.

With our loss of several Ky kids, contributors and not just bench warmers, this season it looks as though it will be a while before we have any more Ky kids on the roster except for Carter. Isn't it strange that this teammost loaded with Ky players played with less heart than any we've had for a while---and I'm normally a strong believer that Ky boys play with more heart as a rule.